While talking with other
homeschooling mothers, I frequently hear comments such as: “I
don’t think I can do this home schooling thing” or
“Sometimes I feel so inadequate to teach my own children.”
Well, the plain truth is that we ARE inadequate!

I, too, have days filled with doubts
because I realize that I don’t know everything, that I don’t
have hours and hours to prepare for each school day, and I am not
sure how to meet the unique needs of each child. In my own strength
and resources, I fall far short of the ideal homeschooling mom that I
imagine I should be.

Quietly the Lord reminds me that the
success of our home schooling is not dependent on my eloquence,
organization, or my abilities at all. Home schooling was a conviction
my husband and I received from the Lord, a sureness in our hearts
that this was the obedient and God-honoring thing to do. So God seems
to highlight Scripture verses through our family devotion times to
remind me just whose reputation is really at stake here.

“Commit to the Lord whatever
you do, and your plans will succeed.” (Proverbs 16:3) Each
morning, as a family, we commit our day to God. Having done that, it
is now God’s responsibility to cause our home schooling to
succeed. Does that mean we can quit schooling? No, knowledge and
understanding will not be sprinkled down on our children like a
magical dust from above, but the final outcome of what we do is all
part of God’s plan for us.

God says in His word that He will
honor those who honor Him (1 Samuel 2:30). That is one goal that
keeps me focused and protected from discouragement. God takes me back
to the original spiritual vision that He gave us and reminds me not
to question in the dark times of difficulty or doubt what He has
shown us in the light.

“In his heart a man plans his
course, but the Lord determines his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)
Paraphrased for mothers: “In her heart, a mom considers the
day’s lesson plans, but the actual day and its events will
unfold as God Himself has determined.” Relax and take a deep
breath, I remind myself. Okay, I promise to plan carefully, Lord, but
I will be flexible and yield to Your divine interruptions and changes
of plan in our school day.

Because God specifically has asked us
to raise our children for Him, He promises to make available to us
everything we need in order to do this job. It would be silly of me
to expect one of our children to wash the family car, if I fail to
provide the needed items to accomplish the task: no hose, water,
soap, sponges, or towels with which to do the job! “His divine
power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through
our knowledge of him...” (2 Peter 1:3). In the final analysis,
this homeschooling lifestyle was begun by God’s urging and He
promises to be the one to complete the work in each of our
children--and in each of us!

Thank you, Lord, that You love each
of our children even more than Steve and I combined. Each day of our
children’s lives is already determined. You know, as their
master teacher, what they each will need (in terms of faith,
character, and academics) for that future plan to succeed. We
confidently depend on You for everything! “...being confident
in this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to
completion.” (Philippians 1:6)